Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHODS OF GENERATING ENERGETIC PARTICLES USING
NANOTUBES AND ARTICLES THEREOF
[001] This application claims the benefit of domestic priority under 35
USC 119(e) to U.S. Application Nos. 60/741,874, filed December 5, 2005, and
60/777,577, filed March 1, 2006, both of which are incorporated by reference
herein.
[002] Disclosed herein are methods of generating energetic particles, by
contacting nanotubes with hydrogen isotopes in the presence of activation
energy, such as thermal, electromagnetic, or the kinetic energy of particles.
Also
disclosed are methods of transmuting matter by exposing such matter to the
energetic particles produced according to the disclosed method.
[003] A need exists for alternative energy sources to alleviate our
society's current dependence on hydrocarbon fuels without further impact to
the
environment. The inventors have developed multiple uses for nanotubes and
devices that use such nanotubes. The present disclosure combines the unique
properties of nanotubes and in one embodiment carbon nanotubes, in a novel
manifestation designed to meet current and future energy needs in an
environmentally friendly way.
[004] Devices powered with nanotube based nuclear power systems may
substantially change the current state of power distribution. For example,
nanotube based nuclear power systems may reduce, if not eliminate, the need
for
power distribution networks; chemical batteries; energy scavenger devices such
as solar cells, windmills, hydroelectric power stations; internal combustion,
chemical rocket, or turbine engines; as well as all other forms of chemical
combustion for the production of power.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[005] Accordingly, there is disclosed a method of generating energetic
particles, which comprises contacting nanotubes with hydrogen isotopes and
applying activation energy to the nanotubes. In one embodiment, the hydrogen
isotopes comprises protium, deuterium, tritium, and combinations thereof. In
addition, the source of hydrogen isotopes may be in a solid, liquid, gas,
plasma,
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or supercritical phase. Alternatively, the source of hydrogen isotopes may be
bound in a molecular structure.
[006] There is also disclosed a method of transmuting matter that
comprises contacting nanotubes with a source of hydrogen isotopes, applying
activation energy to the nanotubes, producing energetic particles, and
contacting
the matter to be transmuted with the energetic particles. As used herein,
transmutable matter is matter that is transformed from one element or isotope
to
another element or isotope.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[007] Fig. 1 is a schematic of a rotator type reactor for a liquid phase
reaction with a He3 detector used according to the present disclosure.
[008] Fig. 2 is a schematic of a rotator type according to Fig. 1, wherein
the He3 detector has been replaced with an array of Germanium detectors.
[009] Fig. 3 is a schematic of a reactor without a separate electrode for
electrolysis of the liquid phase used according to the present disclosure.
[0010] Fig. 4 is a schematic of a reactor according to Fig. 3, further
including a separate electrode for electrolysis of the liquid phase.
[0011 ] Fig. 5 is a schematic of a reactor for a gas phase reaction used
according to the present disclosure.
[0012] Fig. 6 is a plot of the number of energetic particles generated using
the reactor of Fig. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A. Definitions
[0013] The following terms or phrases used in the present disclosure have
the meanings outlined below:
[0014] The term "fiber" or any version thereof, is defined as a high aspect
ratio material. Fibers used in the present disclosure may include materials
comprised,of one or many different compositions.
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[0015] The term "nanotube" refers to a tubular-shaped, molecular structure
generally having an average diameter in the inclusive range of 25A to 100nm.
Lengths of any size may be used.
[0016] The term "carbon nanotube" or any version thereof refers to a
tubular-shaped, molecular structure composed primarily of carbon atoms
arranged in a hexagonal lattice (a graphene sheet) which closes upon itself to
form the walls of a seamless cylindrical tube. These tubular sheets can either
occur alone (single-walled) or as many nested layers (multi-walled) to form
the
cylindrical structure.
[0017] The phrase "environmental background radiation" refers to ionizing
radiation emitted from a variety of natural and artificial sources including
terrestrial sources and cosmic rays (cosmic radiation).
[0018] The term "functionalized" (or any version thereof) refers to a
nanotube having an atom or group of atoms attached to the surface that may
alter the properties of the nanotube, such as zeta potential.
[0019] The term "doped" carbon nanotube refers to the presence of ions or
atoms, other than carbon, into the crystal structure of the rolled sheets of
hexagonal carbon. Doped carbon nanotubes means at least one carbon in the
hexagonal ring is replaced with a non-carbon atom.
[0020] The terms "transmuting," "transmutation" or derivatives thereof is
defined as a change of the state of the nucleus, whether its changing the
number
of protons or neutrons in the nucleus or changing the energy in the nucleus
through capture or emission of a particle. Transmuting matter is thus defined
as
changing the state of the nucleus comprising the matter.
[0021] In one embodiment, there is disclosed a method of producing
energetic particles from the transmutation of isotopes utilizing a nanotube
structure. In this embodiment, transmutation is a change to the nuclear
composition of an isotope accompanied by a release or adsorption of energy. In
order to generate energy from the combination or division of stable isotopes
the
addition of activation energy may be required.
[0022] This activation energy may come in the form of electromagnetic
stimulation either directly or indirectly which imparts momentum temperatures,
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pressure or electromagnetic fields to the isotope. The initial activation
energy
may be in the form of a current pulse or electromagnetic radiation.
Furthermore,
activation energy may come in the form of energy produced from the
transmutation reactions described herein, also known as a chain reaction.
[0023] In certain isotopic transmutation reactions, activation energy is the
energy required to overcome the coulomb repulsion that arises when two nuclei
are brought close together. The primary isotope for such a reaction is
deuterium
(2H), although hydrogen ('H), tritium (3H), and helium three (3He) can also be
used on the way to producing energy and helium four (4He). Included by
reference is a list of isotopes which can be used for energy producing
transmutation reactions and can found on 507-521 of "Modern Physics" by Hans
C. Ohanian 1987, which pages are herein incorporated by reference.
[0024] In order to overcome the coulomb repulsion of the isotopes
required for transmutation, activation energy may be supplied in the form of
thermal, electromagnetic, or the kinetic energy of a particle. Electromagnetic
energy comprises one or more sources chosen from x-rays, optical photons, a,
(3,
or y-rays, microwave radiation, infrared radiation, ultraviolet radiation,
phonons,
cosmic rays, radiation in the frequencies ranging from gigahertz to terahertz,
or
combinations thereof.
[0025] The activation energy may also comprise particles with kinetic
energy, which are defined as any particle, such as an atom or molecule, in
motion. Non-limiting embodiments include protons, neutrons, anti-protons,
elemental particles, and combinations thereof. As used herein, "elemental
particles" are fundamental particles that cannot be broken down to further
particles. Examples of elemental particles include electrons, anti-electrons,
mesons, pions, hadrons, leptons (which is a form of electron), baryons, radio
isotopes, and combinations thereof.
[0026] Other particles that may be used as activation energy in the
disclosed method include those mentioned by reference at pages 460-494 of
"Modern Physics" by Hans C. Ohanian, which pages are herein incorporated by
reference.
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[0027] Similarly, the energetic particles generated by the disclosed
method may comprise the same energetic particles previously described, namely
neutrons, protons, electrons, beta radiation, alpha radiation, mesons, pions,
hadrons, leptons, baryons, and combinations thereof. In other words, the
energetic particles produced by the disclosed method may comprise the same
energetic particles used to initiate the reaction.
[0028] Because energy production required for the transmutation reaction
described herein uses activation energy, one can control the energy produced
by
controlling the amount of activation energy present or the rate at which the
isotopes are being fed in the inventive process to the nanotube structure. For
example, the generation of energy can be significantly reduced by freezing a
nanotube/heavy water mixture, thus robbing thermal energy from the nuclear
transmutation process and slowing diffusion of deuterium into the nanotubes,
such as carbon nanotubes.
[0029] In one embodiment, transmuting matter may be accomplished by
contacting matter with a nanotube structure, confining the matter within a
dimension of the nanotube structure, and exposing the nanotube structure with
the matter confined therein to activation energy.
[0030] Without being bound by any theory the methods for generation of
energetic particles and transmutation reactions described herein are a
manifestation, at least in part, to the nanotube structure. It is believed
that when
matter on the atomic scale is confined to the limited dimensions of a nanotube
structure, the nucleus of the atoms comprising the matter will more likely be
subject to interaction and thus transmutation of the matter. In other words,
nanoscale confinement increases the probabilities that nuclei of matter will
interact. Similar theories have been described as screening in a one-
dimensional
Bose gas, a description of which can be found in the article by N.M..
Bogolyubov
et al., Complete Screening in a One-Dimensional Bose Gas, Zapiski Nauchnykh
Seminarov Leningradskogo Otdeleniya Matematicheskogo Instituta im. V.A.
Steklova AN SSSR, Vol. 150 pp. 3-6, 1986.
[0031] Thus, in one embodiment, it is believed that with a high density
electron plasma inside the confined system of a carbon nanotube when a
current,
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such as in the form of a pulse, is applied to the carbon nanotube, and in the
presence of deuterium, coulomb repulsion may be reduced or eliminated.
Electrons may be in very close proximity to the nuclei, thus on average
canceling
out the coulomb repulsion between deuterium isotopes. This in turn should
decrease the required activation energy for transmutation.
[0032] Any nanoscaled structure having a hollow interior that assists or
enables nanoscale confinement, and that is capable of withstanding the
internal
conditions associated with the disclosed method, can be used in the disclosed
process.
[0033] In one embodiment, the nanotubes comprises carbon and its
allotropes. For example, the carbon nanotube used according to the present
disclosure may comprise a multi-walled carbon nanotube having a length ranging
from 500pm to 10cm, such as from 2mm to 10mm. Nanotube structures
according to the present disclosure may have an inside diameter ranging up to
100nm, such as from 25 A to 100nm.
[0034] The nanotube material may also comprise a non-carbon material,
such as an insulating, metallic, or semiconducting material, or combinations
of
such materials.
[0035] It is to be appreciated that the hydrogen isotopes may be located
within the interior of a nanotube, the space between the walls of a multi-
walled
nanotube (when used), inside at least one loop formed by one or more
nanotubes, or combinations thereof.
[0036] In one embodiment, the nanotubes may be aligned end to end,
parallel, or in any combination there of. In addition, or alternatively, the
nanotubes may be fully or partially coated or doped by least one atomic or
molecular layer of an inorganic material.
[0037] In certain embodiments, the methods of transmuting matter may be
enhanced when the nanotube structure catalytically interacts with the matter
confined therein. This may be done by either choosing a particular nanotube,
such as carbon, or by doping or coating the nanotube with a molecule that can
alter the amount or type of activation energy needed to initiate the disclosed
reactions.
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[0038] As used herein, "catalyst" any word derived therefrom, is defined as
a substance that changes the activation energy. In one embodiment, changing
the activation energy is defined as lowering the energy required for
transmutation
reaction(s) to occur.
[0039] When the nanotube structure further acts as a catalyst, it may do
so as an integrator, taking many low energy photons, phonons or particles and
additively delivering their energy to the transmutation nuclei. The previously
mentioned forms of activation energy may also be used in such a process.
[0040] In some cases, activation energy may result from the sum of
multiple forms of energy, such as x-rays nanotube capture coincident with
electron nuclear scattering to drive the transmutation reaction, such as the
transmutation of deuterium into 3He and neutrons.
[0041] In certain embodiments, it is possible to produce a chain reaction
by loading hydrogen isotopes within the nanotube so that energy released from
one transmutation event will drive more transmutation events.
[0042] As stated, method of transmuting matter may lead to the
generation of energy, from the release of energetic particles. In non-limiting
embodiments, the energy generated from the disclosed method may comprise
neutrons tritons, helium isotopes and protons with kinetic energy.
[0043] The nanotube structure disclosed herein may comprise single
walled, double walled or multi-walled nanotubes or combinations thereof. The
nanotubes may have a known morphology, such as those described in Applicants
co-pending applications, including U.S. Patent Application 11/111,736, filed
April
22, 2005, U.S. Patent Application No. 10/794,056, filed March 8, 2004 and U.S.
Patent Application No. 11/514,814, filed September 1, 2006, all of which are
herein incorporated by reference.
[0044] Some of the above described shapes are more particularly defined
in M.S. Dresselhaus, G. Dresselhaus, and P. Avouris, eds. Carbon Nanotubes:
Synthesis, Structure, Properties, and Applications, Topics in Applied Physics.
80.
2000, Springer-Verlag; and "A Chemical Route to Carbon Nanoscrolls, Lisa M.
Viculis, Julia J. Mack, and Richard B: Kaner; Science, 28 February 2003; 299,
both of which are herein incorporated by reference.
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[0045] When nanotube structures having the foregoing morphologies are
employed, the confinement dimension, defined as the dimension in which the
matter undergoing transmutation is confined, is chosen from the interior of a
nanotube, the space between the walls of a multi-walled nanotube, inside at
least
one loop formed by one or more nanotubes, or combinations thereof.
[0046] As previously stated, the method according to=the present
disclosure typically uses an activation energy to assist in transmutation. Non-
limiting examples of such activation energy includes microwave radiation,
infrared
radiation, thermal energy, phonons, optical photons, ultraviolet radiation, x-
rays,
-y-rays, a-radiation, 0-radiation, and cosmic rays.
[0047] It is understood that the nanotube structure may comprise a
network of nanotubes which are optionally in a magnetic, electric, or
otherwise
electromagnetic field. In one non-limiting embodiment, the magnetic, electric,
or
electromagnetic field can be supplied by the nanotube structure itself.
[0048] In addition, the method may further include applying an alternating
current direct current or current pulses to the nanotube structure or
combinations
thereof.
[0049] The nanotube structure disclosed herein may have a epitaxial
layers of metals or alloys.
[0050] The composition of the nanotube is not known to be critical to the
methods described herein. Without being bound by theory, it appears that the
confinement of the species within the nanotube may be responsible for the
effects that are disclosed herein, rather than some interaction of the carbon
in the
nanotubes used in the disclosed embodiment and the species that was energized
by the confinement, deuterium. For this reason, while the nanotubes describe
herein are specifically described as carbon, more generally, they can comprise
ceramic (including glasses), metallic (and their oxides), organic, and
combinations of such materials.
[0051] The morphology (geometric configuration) of the nanotubes, other
than providing confinement in a dimension for the species being energized, is
not
known to be critical. In one embodiment, there is disclosed a multi-walled,
carbon nanotube. The nanotube structure disclosed herein may have single or
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multiple atomic or molecular layers forming a shell or coating on the
nanotubes
described herein. In addition to such coatings, the nanotube structure may be
doped by least one atomic or molecular layer of an inorganic or organic
material.
[0052] A description of coatings for nanotubes, as well as methods of
coating nanotubes, are described in applicants co-pending application, which
were previously incorporated by reference, i.e., U.S. Patent Application
11/111,736, filed April 22, 2005, U.S. Patent Application No. 10/794,056,
filed
March 8,.2004 and U.S. Patent Application No. 11/514,814, filed September 1,
2006.
[0053] The method described herein may further comprise functionalizing
the carbon nanotubes with at least one organic group. Functionalization is
generally performed by modifying the surface of carbon nanotubes using
chemical techniques, including wet chemistry or vapor, gas or plasma
chemistry,
and microwave assisted chemical techniques, and utilizing surface chemistry to
bond materials to the surface of the carbon nanotubes. These methods are used
to "activate" the carbon nanotube, which is defined as breaking at least one C-
C
or C-heteroatom bond, thereby providing a surface for attaching a molecule or
cluster thereto.
[0054] Functionalized carbon nanotubes may comprise chemical groups,
such as carboxyl groups, attached to the surface, such as the outer sidewalls,
of
the carbon nanotube. Further, the nanotube functionalization can occur through
a multi-step procedure where functional groups are sequentially added to the
nanotube to arrive at a specific, desired functionalized nanotube.
[0055] Unlike functionalized carbon nanotubes, coated carbon nanotubes
are covered with a layer of material and/or one or many particles which,
unlike a
functional group, is not necessarily chemically bonded to the nanotube, and
which covers a surface area of the nanotube.
[0056] Carbon nanotubes used herein may also be doped with
constituents to assist in the disclosed process. As stated, a "doped" carbon
nanotube refers to the presence of ions or atoms, other than carbon, into the
crystal structure of the rolled sheets of hexagonal carbon. Doped carbon
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nanotubes means at least one carbon in the hexagonal ring is replaced with a
non-carbon atom.
[0057] Also disclosed is a method of transmuting matter that comprises
contacting nanotubes with a source of hydrogen isotopes, applying activation
energy to the nanotubes, producing energetic particles, and contacting the
matter
to be transmuted with the energetic particles.
[0058] A fraction of the energy produced from transmutation in the form of
radiation may be used directly to drive second generation transmutation
reactions. This method can be used to continually generate power to the levels
required for consumption.
[0059] In one embodiment, the method described herein may be used to
transmute isotopes having a long half-life and considered to be radioactive
pollutants into isotopes with a shorter half-life. This may be accomplished
via
neutron capture. In this embodiment, it may be desirable to feed the nanotube
with deuterium since many neutrons packed closely together in the carbon
nanotubes can be captured by the target isotope. The abundance of neutrons in
the nucleus will drive transmutation reactions, this reducing the half-life of
a
radioactive isotope from hundreds or thousands of years to milliseconds.
[0060] In another embodiment, the transmutation of deuterium into 3He
and neutrons may be performed by contacting carbon nanotubes with a
deuterium gas and activation energy. In this embodiment, the deuterium is kept
in high concentration by a confinement vessel that surrounds the element
components, e.g., the deuterium gas, the carbon nanotubes, and attached
electrodes. In addition, the carbon nanotubes should be bundled to make
electrical contact with the electrodes at either end of the bundle. Wires are
attached to the electrode and feed the carbon nanotubes with activation energy
from a circuit that produces a 400V pulse for 10ns. A schematic of this
embodiment is shown in Fig. 5.
[0061] The present disclosure is further illustrated by the following non-
limiting examples, which are intended to be purely exemplary of the
disclosure.
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EXAMPLES
Example 1. Production of Energetic Particles Using Treated Carbon
Nanotubes
a) Production of Carbon Nanotube Material
[0062] 5g of carbon nanotubes were mixed with 250 ml of reagent grade
nitric acid at room temperature. The carbon nanotubes were multi-walled, with
diameters ranging from 10nm to 50nm and lengths ranging from 100 nm to
100um. After 20 minutes, the carbon nanotubes were removed from the nitric
acid and washed with water three times. The carbon nanotubes were dried in an
oven set above room temperature to remove water. From that batch, 100 mg of
the carbon nanotubes were combined with 35-40 ml of 99.9% pure D20 in a 50
ml glass beaker (Sample A). The D20 was taken from a new 250 gram sample
that was purchased from Sigma Aldrich (Part number 151882-250G, Batch
number 08410KC).
b) Measurements on Carbon Nanotube Material
[0063] Various energetic particles emitted from Sample A were measured
in the following manner:
[0064] Sample A was covered with clear plastic wrap to minimize
evaporation of the D20 and water absorption into the hydroscopic D20. It was
then placed in a rotatable sample holder, which was held at a 45 degree angle
relative to the floor and rotated at about 1 rpm during measurement so as to
keep
the surface carbon nanotubes at least partially wet. A schematic of this
rotating
sample holder is shown in Fig. 1.
[0065] Energy above background was measured using a 3He Neutron
detector and a Nal (sodium iodide) gamma/x-ray detector. Background
measurements were made with no sample present. Sample A was initially
measured in a dark room. The measurement was repeated with the sample
irradiated by a UV filtered halogen light. A second sample (B), identical in
composition and morphology to sample A was prepared. Sample B was irradiated
separately with (a) a UV filtered halogen light and (b) a red laser.
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[0066] While all samples, including that measured in the dark room,
showed a positive bias above background, enhanced signal was noticed when a
light source was used, with the strongest response occurring for the UV
filtered
halogen light.
[0067] This example shows that by combining treated carbon nanotubes
with D20, energetic particles were produced.
Example 2. Production of Energetic Particles Using Untreated Carbon
Nanotubes
a) Production of Carbon Nanotube Material
[0068] This example was substantially similar to Ex. 1, with the exception
that.untreated multi-walled carbon nanotubes were used in this example. The
carbon nanotubes had diameters ranging from 10nm to 50nm and lengths
ranging from 100 nm to 100um. About 100 mg of the carbon nanotubes were
combined with 35-40 ml of 99.9% pure D20 in a 50 ml glass beaker.
b) Measurements on Carbon Nanotube Material
[0069] Energetic particles emitted from the sample made according to
this invention were measured in the following manner:
[0070] As in Example 1, the sample according to this example was.
covered with clear plastic wrap to minimize evaporation of the D20 and water
absorption into the hydroscopic D20. It was then placed in a rotatable sample
holder, which was held at a 45 degree angle relative to the floor and rotated
at
about 1 rpm during measurement so as to keep the surface carbon nanotubes at
least partially wet.
[0071] A schematic of the set-up used in this Example is shown in Fig. 2,
which is similar to Fig. 1, with the 3He detector being replaced by an array
of
Germanium detectors. In particular, prior to the application of the activation
energy, two arrays of Germanium neutron detectors, placed on either side of
the
apparatus, were calibrated to determine the background rate of neutrons at the
site of the experiment. The detectors were state of the art neutron detectors
that
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were the property of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories and the
manner in which the detectors operated was proprietary to their owners.
[0072] Background measurements were-made with no sample present.
The measurement was made while the sample was irradiated by a UV filtered
halogen light. While all measurements including background showed a positive
bias above background, enhanced signal was noticed when the UV filtered
halogen light was applied.
[0073] This example shows that by combining untreated carbon nanotubes
with D20, while applying activation energy, energetic particles were produced.
Example 3. Production of Energetic Particles Via Transmutation in a
Liquid Phase - Without An Electrolysis Electrode
[0074] In this example the nanotubes were commercially pure carbon
nanotubes obtained from NanoTechLabs (NanoTechLabs Inc., 409 W. Maple St.,
Yadkinville, NC 27055). They had a length of approximately 3mm, with a 6
member ring structure and were straight in orientation. The carbon nanotubes
were substantially defect free and were not treated prior to use in the
device.
[0075] A bundle of aligned carbon nanotubes containing approximately
1,000 individual nanotube was connected to stainless steal electrodes at each
end of the bundle. The carbon nanotube electrode system was measured to have
approximately 2000 of resistance. One nanotube electrode was connected
through a capacitor to ground and to a 19.50 resistor connected to the high
voltage supply. See Fig. 3. The other nanotube electrode was connected
through a 30ns rise time transistor to ground. The gate on the transistor was
connected to a pulse generator.
[0076] The carbon nanotube electrode system was submerged in 2 grams
of liquid D20 in a ceramic reactor boat at room temperature and pressure. A
voltage was applied to the carbon nanotubes as a 200 Volt spike for a duration
in
the range of from 200 nanoseconds at a repetition rate of approximately 10KHz.
[0077] A signal generator delivered a 150ns wide pulse at 9V to the
transistor to trigger the discharge of the capacitor through the deuterium
loaded
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carbon nanotubes. Neutron bursts were produced for a 2hr time period before
the stainless steel electrodes corroded due to electro corrosion and no longer
made contact with the carbon nanotubes. The data acquisition system recorded
data above background for this time period.
[0078] Prior to the application of the voltage two arrays of Germanium
neutron detectors, placed on either side of the apparatus, were calibrated to
determine the background rate of neutrons at the site of the experiment. "The
detectors were state of the art neutron detectors that were the property of
the
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories and the manner in which the detectors
operated was proprietary to their owners.
[0079] Prior to the application of voltage, the detectors intermittently
detected neutron with no observed periodicity of detections. This was
comparable to background radiation. After the voltage was applied to the
carbon
nanotube again the detectors detected neutrons intermittently. The neutrons
were detected in short duration bursts and as a low level steady stream above
background with the detection event being from four to -100 times the
magnitude
of the background detections. When the application of the voltage was
discontinued the detections were again characteristic in magnitude of those at
background levels and no periodicity of the bursts was observed. The kinetic
energy of the detected neutron could not be measured with the equipment used.
[0080] The experimental apparatus had no provision for measuring any
heat generated during the operation of the device. Nor was there any provision
for testing the composition of gases that may have been created during the
process.
Example 4. Production of Energetic Particles Via Transmutation in a
Liquid Phase - With An Electrolysis Electrode
[0081] In this example the nanotubes were commercially pure carbon
nanotubes obtained from NanoTechLabs (NanoTechLabs Inc., 409 W. Maple St.,
Yadkinville, NC 27055 ). They had a length of approximately 6mm, with a 6
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member ring structure and were straight in orientation. The carbon nanotubes
were substantially defect free and were not treated prior to use in the
device.
[0082] A bundle of aligned carbon nanotubes containing approximately
1,000 individual nanotube was connected to platinum electrodes at each end of
the bundle. The carbon nanotube electrode system was measured to have
approximately 80 of resistance. One nanotube electrode was connected through
a capacitor to ground. The other nanotube electrode was connected through a
transistor to ground. A third electrolysis electrode was held in close
proximity to
the center of the carbon nanotube bundle and was connected to a 490V 5mA
power supply through a 6KS2 resistor. A schematic and description of this set-
up
is shown in Fig. 4.
[0083] The carbon nanotube electrode system was submerged in 2 grams
of liquid D20 in a ceramic reactor boat at room temperature and pressure. A
voltage was applied to the carbon nanotubes as a 490 Volt spike for a duration
in
the range of from 10 to 100 nanoseconds at a repetition rate of approximately
730 Hz. During the millisecond the capacitor was charging, the charging
current
was also used to perform electrolysis of the D20 to produce D2 gas at the
nanotube surface. Electrolysis was performed to increase diffusion of D2 into
the
carbon nanotube. A signal generator delivered a 150ns wide pulse at 9V to the
transistor to trigger the discharge of the capacitor through the deuterium
loaded
carbon nanotubes. Neutron bursts were produced and recorded by a data
acquisition system that were not present in the background.
[0084] A plot of the number of energetic particles generated according to
this example is shown in Fig. 6.
[0085] Prior to the application of the voltage two arrays of Germanium
neutron detectors, placed on either side of the apparatus, were calibrated to
determine the background rate of neutrons at the site of the experiment. The
detectors were state of the art neutron detectors that were the property of
the
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories and the manner in which the detectors
operated was proprietary to their owners.
[0086] Prior to the application of voltage, the detectors intermittently
detected neutron with no observed periodicity of detections. This was
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comparable to background radiation. After the voltage was applied to the
carbon
nanotube again the detectors detected neutrons intermittently. As shown in
Fig.
6, the neutrons were detected in short duration bursts with the detection
event
being from four to ten thousand times the magnitude of the background
detections. In addition, over time a periodicity of the bursts was observed,
the
frequency of which was approximately 10 minutes. When the application of the
voltage was discontinued the detections were again characteristic in magnitude
of those at background levels and no periodicity of the bursts was observed.
The
kinetic energy of the detected neutron could not be measured with the
equipment
used.
[0087] The experimental apparatus had no provision for measuring any
heat generated during the operation of the device. Nor was there any provision
for testing the composition of gases that may have been created during the -
process. The composition of the liquid remaining after the experiment was
determined and the amount of heavy water in the sample had decreased.
[0088] The data generated from this example was statistically analyzed via
a Hurst analysis to determine the statistical significance of the results. A
Hurst
analysis is a correlated analysis of random and non-random occurrences of
events yielding a figure of merit. A figure of merit centered around 0.5
indicates
random data. A figure of merit approaching 1.0 indicates positive correlation.
A
figure of merit approaching zero indicates anti-correlation. Data according to
this
example approached 0.9 indicating high positive correlation. In other words,
the
statistical analysis of the data from this example provides strong evidence of
non-
random signal.
[0089] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of
ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and
claims
are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about."
Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set
forth
in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may
vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the
present
invention.
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[0090] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the
invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples
be
considered as exemplary only, with the true scope of the invention being
indicated by the following claims.
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